Answers are listed at the bottom of the page.
Click below for review of basic info on the topic sentence and the paragraph Topic Sentence and Paragraph Parts
Main Idea Practice #1
Below is a passage from “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
The small, triangle-shaped campus bustled with students talking about their new classes. Everyone was in a sunny mood. Victor hurried to the bag lunch area, where he sat down and opened his math book. He moved his lips as if he were reading, but his mind was somewhere else. He raised his eyes slowly and looked around. No Teresa.
He lowered his eyes, pretending to study, and then looked slowly to the left. No Teresa. He turned a page in the book and stared at some math problems that scared him because he knew he would have to do them eventually. He looked to the right. Still no sign of her. He stretched out lazily in an attempt to disguise his snooping.
1. What is the main idea?
2. List two supporting details for the main idea.
Answers are below.
Main Idea Practice #2: Read the passage below and then answer the questions below.
John loves to play games. His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. John also likes ot play less demanding board games that are based mostly on luck and skill. If he's alone, John likes to play action video games a long as they are not too violent.
What is the main idea?
Main Idea Practice #3: Each of the following groups of statements includes one main and two supporting details. Choose the statement that is the main idea.
1. Which of the following statements is the main idea and which ones are the supporting details.
a. The swordfish is an extremely dangerous and violent creature.
b. Swordfish occasionally attack and pierce the hulls of ships with their swords.
c. Swordfish have slashed fishermen and pulled sailors to their deaths.
2. Which of the following statements is the main idea and which ones are the supporting details.
a. The fugitive must have a lengthy criminal record or be considered by the FBI to be especially dangerous to society.
b. The FBI must believe that the publicity created by fugitive being listed will assist in apprehending him or her.
c. The FBI uses specific guidelines when selecting guidelines when selecting the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
3. Which of the following statements is the main idea and which ones are the supporting details.
a. Hair performs important functions for the human body.
b. Eyebrows hairs block the glare of the sun and help keep sweat from the eyes.
c. Nasal hair traps harmful dust particles and prevents them from reaching the lungs.
1. Main Idea—Victor tried to seem like he was busy at lunch, but really he was looking for Teresa.
Click below for review of basic info on the topic sentence and the paragraph
Topic Sentence and Paragraph Parts
Main Idea Practice #1
Below is a passage from “Seventh Grade” by Gary Soto. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.
The small, triangle-shaped campus bustled with students talking about their new classes. Everyone was in a sunny mood. Victor hurried to the bag lunch area, where he sat down and opened his math book. He moved his lips as if he were reading, but his mind was somewhere else. He raised his eyes slowly and looked around. No Teresa.
He lowered his eyes, pretending to study, and then looked slowly to the left. No Teresa. He turned a page in the book and stared at some math problems that scared him because he knew he would have to do them eventually. He looked to the right. Still no sign of her. He stretched out lazily in an attempt to disguise his snooping.
1. What is the main idea?
2. List two supporting details for the main idea.
Answers are below.
Main Idea Practice #2: Read the passage below and then answer the questions below.
John loves to play games. His favorite game is chess because it requires a great deal of thought. John also likes ot play less demanding board games that are based mostly on luck and skill. If he's alone, John likes to play action video games a long as they are not too violent.
What is the main idea?
Main Idea Practice #3: Each of the following groups of statements includes one main and two supporting details. Choose the statement that is the main idea.
1. Which of the following statements is the main idea and which ones are the supporting details.
a. The swordfish is an extremely dangerous and violent creature.
b. Swordfish occasionally attack and pierce the hulls of ships with their swords.
c. Swordfish have slashed fishermen and pulled sailors to their deaths.
2. Which of the following statements is the main idea and which ones are the supporting details.
a. The fugitive must have a lengthy criminal record or be considered by the FBI to be especially dangerous to society.
b. The FBI must believe that the publicity created by fugitive being listed will assist in apprehending him or her.
c. The FBI uses specific guidelines when selecting guidelines when selecting the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives.
3. Which of the following statements is the main idea and which ones are the supporting details.
a. Hair performs important functions for the human body.
b. Eyebrows hairs block the glare of the sun and help keep sweat from the eyes.
c. Nasal hair traps harmful dust particles and prevents them from reaching the lungs.
1. Main Idea—Victor tried to seem like he was busy at lunch, but really he was looking for Teresa.
2. Main Idea - John likes to play games.
3. 1 - a, 2 - c, 3 - a